Trainers (mostly) happy-go-lucky about Preakness draws

BALTIMORE | For the most part, the conversation after Wednesday afternoon’s Preakness draw was positive. The great majority of trainers – like general managers after a draft – were thrilled with their post positions.

“The post is great,” Mucho Macho Man’s trainer, Kathy Ritvo, said of drawing No. 9. “Any place out there would have been perfect for me.”

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Said Animal Kingdom trainer Graham Motion: “It’s great; I couldn’t be happier, really. I just would rather be on the outside than stuck down on the inside.”

It’s far more entertaining when a trainer offers a zinger or something unexpected. Take John Shirreffs, who trains Mr. Commons – the No. 14 horse on the far outside.

“It’s better than the 20,” he said, referring to being on the very far outside for the Kentucky Derby.

In a field of 14, however, it doesn’t get much worse. Well, except for being No. 1 (Astrology) or No. 2 (Norman Asbjornson). Astrology’s trainer Steve Asmussen wasn’t around to comment, but Norman Asbjornson’s Chris Grove said he and his colt will have to adjust.

“We wanted a little further outside, somewhere where we didn’t have to stand in the gate as long,” he said. “But we’ll have to deal with it right now, and he’ll have to deal with it.”